AI Boom vs. Global Survival

Hello everyone, and welcome to The beginning of empathy. I am your Empathy Keeper.

Analyzing the news that poured in from 24 nations around the world yesterday, I sensed two colossal currents shaping our reality. One is the explosive growth and capital movement driven by the Artificial Intelligence technological revolution. The other is the relentless struggle of ordinary people trying to protect their livelihoods amidst high inflation and unstable markets. How do we build Empathy and prepare for the future caught between these two powerful forces?

Yesterday, the stock markets in Taiwan and South Korea were ablaze with news of surging memory semiconductor-related stocks. In Taiwan, the 'Memory Trio' attracted tens of billions of won in capital, soaring so high that investors were reportedly worried about a typhoon closure preventing the market from opening. Similarly, in South Korea, a specialized firm for semiconductor etching processes, CMTX, garnered significant attention as it began its public subscription offering. This clearly demonstrates the powerful global demand for AI servers and high-performance computing. Even in Australia, analyses of major chip manufacturer stocks suggested that AI is becoming an essential core holding for investors worldwide.

This wave of technological innovation is directly impacting corporate survival strategies. The rebranding of Brazil's former state-owned power company, Eletrobras, into Axia Energia, and its subsequent relisting, symbolizes the energy industry's restructuring around innovation and value creation. Conversely, in Switzerland, the Basel State Bank's ambitious online banking venture, Radicant, was ultimately liquidated. This serves as a stark reminder that even well-intentioned innovation cannot escape the market's cold, hard judgment.

In contrast to the tech boom, traditional industries directly linked to consumer spending are struggling. In the United Kingdom, the global spirits company Diageo took the drastic step of hiring a former major supermarket CEO to try and reverse sluggish sales. In the United States, the fast-food chain Wendy's announced plans to close hundreds of domestic stores due to poor performance. These are clear signals that consumers, pressured by inflation, are tightening their belts, cutting back on non-essential spending like dining out and alcohol. Brazilian food manufacturer M. Dias also saw its stock plummet due to weak third-quarter results, highlighting the dual challenge of rising raw material costs and shrinking consumer demand.

This economic pressure is reflected in government policies. In the United States, President Donald Trump reiterated his proposal to use tariff revenue to issue ,000 rebate checks to citizens. This is a political attempt to show Empathy for voters suffering from high costs, though it faces significant practical hurdles regarding funding and congressional approval. Meanwhile, the Mexican Peso strengthened, buoyed by the potential resolution of a US government shutdown, illustrating how one nation's political stability can significantly impact the economy of its neighbors.

Energy prices remain a common global concern. The Brazilian government updated its average fuel price tables to set the basis for tax calculations. In the Netherlands, gasoline and diesel prices hit their highest levels in months, increasing the burden on consumers. Spain's government proactively detailed the cheapest (2 PM to 3 PM) and most expensive (7 PM to 8 PM) times for electricity use, helping citizens integrate energy saving into their daily routines. News from Saudi Arabia reported a drop in gold prices due to a strong dollar and profit-taking, showing that the Middle East is also highly sensitive to global currency and investment flows.

Our focus on Empathy also extends to the foundations of our society: labor and safety. In the UK, a Kitchen Porter at a major football club was recognized with the 'Kitchen Porter of the Year' award, acknowledging his dedication as an unsung hero who boosts team morale. In Spain, the renowned female journalist María Rosa Calaf reflected on the challenges she faced as a female correspondent—fighting in an environment where 'ability was not taken for granted'—offering deep insight into workplace gender equality, a topic that resonates across all borders.

Furthermore, global concern over the spread of Avian Flu is escalating. Emergency public health measures are being implemented worldwide. Spain's Castilla-La Mancha region expanded measures to confine poultry indoors, and the Netherlands culled tens of thousands of chickens to protect public health and the livestock industry. This reminds us that climate and environmental changes bring new threats that require a unified global response.

Yesterday's news reveals a complex world where the bright future of AI and semiconductors coexists with the harsh realities of high inflation and disease. We must constantly ask ourselves: Are we leaving any neighbors behind in this massive current? What values must we uphold? The effort to ensure that the benefits of technological progress are shared equitably, and that the value of essential labor is properly recognized, is crucial. This is the true work of Empathy.

Thank you for joining me today as we analyzed global news through the lens of Empathy. I hope this provided insight into how the stories from various nations are interconnected. Your Empathy Keeper will continue striving to maintain a human perspective in this complicated world. See you in the next update. Thank you.